Bangaloreans might consider themselves globe-trotters and well-travelled citizens, but a travel and tourism exhibition in the city is hoping to lure in more non-travellers to start making frequent trips outside of their city. This is not just for business or religious purposes, but more for experiencing the cultures and landscapes of places far flung from Bangalore.
According to Rohit Hangal, director, Sphere Travelmedia, organisers of the India International Travel Mart, with the present on-going recession, international arrivals in India have dropped, and the exhibition provides the right impetus to the Indian domestic tourism industry.
"There are participants from not just international destinations like Malaysia, Thailand, Dubai, Switzerland, but also from various Indian states like Kerala, West Bengal, Andhra, and Maharashtra, who will get an opportunity to aggressively market their tourism to not just travel operators, but consumers directly," says Hangal.
The event is likely to have over 300 participants from 15 countries, and over 20 Indian states.
"The visitor profile will include a mix of tour agents and travel operators, as well as people who like to travel. We are expecting over 15,000 visitors at the event over the span of three days," says Sanjay Hakhu, director, Sphere Travelmedia.
Travel experts say nowadays, lot of working professionals from Bangalore are seen taking short breaks of three-five days, instead of an annual vacation spanning a fortnight.
"The 3N/4 D getaways are getting popular with professionals from Bangalore, especially during extended weekends. This implies that people are travelling more often, experiencing more places and cultures, and helping the tourism sector across big and small destinations," says Hakhu.
Naresh M, a retired banking professional and an avid traveller, says travel exhibitions are a good platform for travel enthusiasts to interact with multiple travel organisers and get to know of the unexplored destinations.
"I have been to Turkey, Middle East, Europe and Japan. Now I am planning to visit Australia and the North East. There are many upcoming destinations in states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh which get showcased at such exhibitions," says Naresh, who frequently visits travel forums and events to network and chalk out travel
plans.
What: India International Travel Mart
Where: July 18-20, 2014
Where: KPTO Trade Centre, Whitefield
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